Chile's high court blocks Pinochet interrogation

Published: Wednesday, December 27, 2000

SANTIAGO, Chile {AP} Gen. Augusto Pinochet scored a legal victory Tuesday when the Supreme Court blocked an interrogation expected to lead to the renewed indictment of the former dictator on homicide and kidnapping charges.

The court said the 85-year-old retired general must first undergo mental and neurological tests to determine whether he is fit to stand trial, a decision that effectively leaves his fate in the hands of doctors rather than judges.

Pinochet suffers from diabetes and arthritis, has a pacemaker and has sustained three mild strokes.

The court also reaffirmed that the tests on Pinochet be conducted at a military hospital, instead of a private hospital as demanded by his foes.

Lawyers for both sides said the court voted 4-1 in favor of Pinochet, a ruling that could indefinitely postpone the legal proceedings against him.

Judge Juan Guzman had stunned Chileans on Dec. 1 by indicting Pinochet, but the homicide and kidnapping charges were thrown out by the Supreme Court because Guzman failed to interrogate Pinochet first.

Guzman moved to interrogate Pinochet later this week to allow him to reinstate the charges, but the former dictator's lawyer succeeded in blocking the questioning.

Guzman held Pinochet responsible for the "Caravan of Death," a military group that executed 75 political prisoners shortly after the 1973 coup led by Pinochet. It was one of the most notorious cases of human rights violations during Pinochet's 1973-90 reign.

Pinochet's chief lawyer, Pablo Rodriguez, suggested his client's health may prevent him from being interrogated.